MEMBER TYPE / COUNT
REALTOR® 1,165
Offices 134
Affiliate 237
Click here to see which RVAR members
have switched firms, gone inactive, or joined recently.
|
Several issues have emerged in the early stages of Congress that are of critical importance to REALTORS®. Click here for a short summary on each of these issues.
|
|
Get the REALTOR® Action Center Mobile App Today!
We are stronger together! Our voice is heard when REALTORS® work together in support of policies and regulations that promote homeownership and the real estate industry through the REALTOR® Party. The REALTOR® Party is the only organization in America that fights exclusively for homeownership, real estate investment, strong communities and private property rights. Now you can support the REALTOR® Party easily from your iPhone or Droid mobile device.
This app is designed to help REALTOR® members stay informed about issues that affect your business and take quick action on important Call for Action notices while on the go. This year, as Congress takes up many issues important to REALTORS®, we will be counting on you to act and send a message to
your Congressional leaders.
The REALTOR® Action Center mobile app is now available for download for the iPhone and Droid. Simply search for
NAR Action Center in their respective app markets, download the free app and log in.
|
NAR Email Scam
If you see 'NAR: Urgent Update' in your inbox, hit delete! The email, entitled 'NAR: Urgent Update', comes from
no-reply @nar.realtor, and asks that "all registered realtors are hereby advised to view the recent publication released." In order to view the release, users are asked to click a link and enter a password. The intent of the scam is not yet known, but NAR is asking all members to delete the email and warn others.
NAR Association Counsel Jessica Edgerton released published helpful tips on how REALTORS® can protect themselves:
- Trust your gut. If an email seems suspicious, delete it.
- Regularly clean out your email inbox. Edgerton says a "longstanding backlog" of emails could give scammers access to sensitive information.
- If you absolutely have to send sensitive information via email, such as wire transfer number, make sure your email is encrypted.
- Change your usernames and passwords on a regular basis, and make sure your passwords aren't "easy to guess".
- Use the most up-to-date firewall and anti-virus technologies to protect your information.
- If you've been compromised, immediately change your username and password and notify anyone else whose information could have been exposed.
Consider notifying the
Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is co-sponsored by the FBI. Complaints filed via this website are processed and may be referred to federal, state, local or international law enforcement agencies.
|
The current real estate market is leading to more multiple offer scenarios. It's a good problem to have -- and a good time to refresh your memory as to your ethical obligations. According to the Code of Ethics, listing agents must have their sellers' approval to disclose the existence of offers.
Standard of Practice 1-15: REALTORS®, in response to inquiries
from buyers or cooperating brokers shall, with the sellers'
approval, disclose the existence of offers on the property. Where
disclosure is authorized, REALTORS® shall also disclose, if
asked, whether offers were obtained by the listing licensee,
another licensee in the listing firm or by a cooperating broker.
And when entering into buyer agreements, the Code of Ethics requires the following:
Standard of Practice 1-13: When entering into buyer/tenant agreements, REALTORS®
must advise potential clients of . . .the possibility that sellers or sellers' representatives
may not treat the existence, terms or conditions of offers as confidential unless
confidentiality is required by law, regulation or by any confidentiality agreement between
the parties.
|
April, 2017 marks the 49th anniversary of the 1968 landmark Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibited housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. Every April, REALTORS® celebrate Fair Housing Month to reaffirm their continuing commitment to fair and equitable treatment and a professional level of service for all in their search for real property.
In honor of Fair Housing Month, take a moment to renew your commitment to the REALTOR® Fair Housing Declaration below:
I agree to:
- Provide equal professional service without regard to the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin or sexual orientation of any prospective client, customer or of the residents of any community.
- Keep informed about fair housing law and practices, improving my clients' and customers' opportunities and my business.
- Develop advertising that indicates that everyone is welcome and no one is excluded, expanding my clients' and customers' opportunities to see, buy or lease property.
- Inform my clients and customers about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws by providing brochures and other information.
- Document my efforts to provide professional service, which will assist me in becoming a more responsive and successful REALTOR®.
- Refuse to tolerate non-compliance.
- Learn about those who are different from me, and celebrate those differences.
- Take a positive approach to fair housing practices and aspire to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law.
- Develop and implement fair housing practices for my firm to carry out the spirit of this declaration.
Additional fair housing resources are available from the
National Association of REALTORS®.
|
REALTOR® After Hours @ the Lake
Come & get your groove on - 70's style! Join us on
Thursday, April 27th from 5:00 until 7:00PM at Bridgewater Bay Clubhouse in Moneta for our REALTOR® After Hours! There will be great food, music, door prizes, 50/50 cash raffle, lively conversation and... assorted beverages! This
free event is made possible by our
fantastic 2017 Partner / Sponsors!
REALTORS® -- Bring a Business Card
for a chance at 4 Cash Door Prizes
$100 -- $50 - (2) $25
Grab your favorite tie dye shirt and those fabulous bell bottom jeans and plan to join your REALTOR® & Affiliate friends for a fun evening... at the Lake!
Click here to register and for details about this
free event!
|
RVAR Community Service Day Project - Renovation Alliance
RVAR's next Community Service Day is being held on
Saturday, April 29th as we support
Renovation Alliance, for their Community Renovation Day, an effort dedicated to rebuilding the homes of low-income homeowners across the Roanoke Valley. These projects usually consist of both some interior and exterior repairs, doing some painting, carpentry work as well as general clean up, lawn and garden work.
Would you help make a difference in our community by donating just a few hours of your time to join your fellow REALTORS® & Affiliates for a worthwhile and rewarding day? Your help is needed no matter your skill level! You can stay for part of the day or all day and lunch will be served for all volunteers. Sign up to help out by
clicking here to complete the volunteer form. This charitable effort is organized by RVAR's Community Service Committee and sponsored by our
2017 Partner / Sponsors. Contact
Joe Sutliff at the RVAR Office with any questions.
|
5 O'clock Hops in Vinton
5 O'clock Hops will be in Vinton on Thursday May 11th at Twin Creeks Brewing Company, (111 S. Pollard Street, Vinton, VA 24179) from
5:00PM 'til 7:00PM. You are welcome to bring your significant other or friends!
No Registration Required for 5 O'clock Hops - just show up! And bring a friend!
* Appetizers Provided!
* Enjoy Twin Creeks beer selection! Or something non-alcoholic, if you prefer.
* Door Prizes for REALTORS® & Affiliates! Bring a business card!
This event is sponsored by our outstanding 2017 Partner/Sponsors.
|
"My RVAR Commitment Matters": Cindy Fletcher
Cyndi Fletcher, with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier, REALTORS®, says "I was well into my real estate career before I finally volunteered for a position on the Grievance Committee. Fifteen years later, I can't imagine not being involved in the RVAR."
Cyndi's continued service adds to her real estate career. "As well as knowing what is going on locally, it has kept me in the know on the state and national levels, too. The professional enrichment has been rewarding, but the friendships I've made have been the real bonus!"
Cyndi currently serves on the Grievance Committee.
|
Roanoke Regional Housing Symposium
The Roanoke Regional Housing Network is sponsoring its annual Housing Symposium on May 4th, 8:30AM-2:00PM at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood. This year's Symposium, titled 'From the Cleavers to the Jetsons: New Perspectives on Housing' features guest speaker Mel Jones of the Center for Housing Research.
Click here to register.
|
Leadership Roanoke Valley
The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2018 class of
Leadership Roanoke Valley. This interactive 10-month program helps participants better understand issues facing the Roanoke region, while building leadership skills. May 8th is the deadline for nominations. You may nominate yourself or someone else. Questions? Contact
Cally Smith at the Chamber.
|
Upcoming Education
Boost Your Knowledge on Wells and Septic Systems: RVAR's Education Committee, in partnership with Virginia Tech, will be offering this class on
Tuesday, April 25th,
10AM-Noon at the RVAR Office. This class will be taught by an instructor from Virginia Tech's Household Water Quality Program. This class will focus on testing, common problems, treatment options and maintenance. In order to register for this
FREE class,
click here to register.
Landlord Tenant Training: The Virginia Housing Alliance is bringing Landlord Tenant training to Roanoke on
Tuesday, April 25th, 9:30AM-Noon at The Dumas Center. Learn the laws governing when a landlord can legally refuse to rent to someone, when and how a landlord can lawfully evict someone and how a tenant can respond to a landlord's refusal to make necessary repairs. This training will be offered by representatives of the Virginia Poverty Law Center and Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley. Cost to attend is $15.
Click here to register.
Roanoke City Fair Housing Classes: Roanoke City's Fair Housing Board is offering
two free fair housing classes in April. Both classes will be held in Fitzpatrick Hall at the Jefferson Center. On
Wednesday, April 26th, 9:00AM - 1:00PM, the City's
Semi-Annual Fair Housing Seminar will be held, taught by Mally Dryden-Mason from DPOR. This class is open to all REALTORS® and will provide CE credits. (NOTE: This class does NOT qualify for PL credit.) Then on
Thursday, April 27th, 9:00 - 4:00PM (with a break for lunch on your own), the City will host a
Reasonable Accommodations / Reasonable Modifications Seminar. This NEW seminar, also taught by Mally Dryden-Mason, will focus on how to respond to requests from tenants for reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications based on disability. (This class does NOT qualify for CE or PL credit.)
To register, email
Crystal Hypes with your name, which session you would like to attend (or both), plus your email address and real estate license number. Registration closes on Friday, April 21st or sooner, if the limit of 300 registrations are received.
Roanoke City - Show Me the Money: Learn how to leverage the City's funding options at this
FREE class on
Wednesday, May 10th, 9AM-Noon at the RVAR Office. Topics covered will include historic tax credits, the Enterprise Zone Program, the City Rehab Program, plus CDBG and HOME funding.
Click here to register.
GRI 504: Working with Buyers: The New River Valley Association of REALTORS® is offering this class on
Wednesday, May 10th with instructor LeRoy Houser. This class will share the tips and tricks that top producers use to gain new buyer clients, plus components of the home showing process and negotiation strategies. This class qualifies for 6 hours CE credit (real estate related) and 2 hours PL credit (issues / trends.)
Click here for registration information.
Fair Housing -- RVAR's Education Committee presents this class in conjunction with the Moseley Dickinson Academy of Real Estate,
Friday, May 12th, 10AM-Noon at the RVAR Office.
New members: This class is free -- earn 2 hours PL or CE credit.
Existing members: Pay $10 at the door for 2 hours CE credit.
Click here to register.
Downpayment Assistance: Discover the programs available to assist your low to middle income buyers. This
Wednesday, May 17th, 10AM-Noon class will cover VHDA grant funds, Federal home loan funds, 502/504 USDA funds plus City of Roanoke programs.
Click here to register for this
FREE class.
Blueprint for Agent Success: Learn 3 key shifts for EVERY agent at EVERY production level to take their business to the next level. RVAR's Education Committee and
Roberta Ross, President of Six Figure Real Estate Coach, will offer this classs on
Wednesday, May 24th,
10AM-Noon at the RVAR office.
Click here for more information on speaker Roberta Ross.
Click here to register for the
FREE class.
GRI 508: Real Estate Laws / Virginia Regulations: This
Tuesday, June 20th (
9AM-4:30PM) class, taught by Donna Austin, will cover the most recent Virginia laws and Real Estate Board regulations. Learn how the laws apply to you and protect the interests of your clients. This class qualifies for 8 hours of CE credit (Legal Update and Flood) plus PL credit (8 hours real estate law and Board regulations).
Click here to register.
Already have your GRI designation? Contact
Louann@rvar.com to register for this class at a reduced rate of $45 (includes materials and filing of CE credit, but no exam required.)
|
Our RVAR Family
Sympathy
RVAR expresses sympathy to
Cathie Daniel of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate upon the death of her mother.
Congratulations
RVAR welcomes
Nancy Kelderhouse, the new Executive Officer of the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association.
Let RVAR know
if you have news to share.
|
Upcoming Events
April 25th April 25th April 26th April 27th April 27th April 29th May 10th May 11th May 12th May 17th May 24th
|
Wells & Septic Systems: RVAR Landlord Tenant Training Roanoke City Fair Housing Class Roanoke City Reasonable/Accommodations Class REALTOR® After Hours @ SML Community Service Day - Renovation Alliance Roanoke City: Show Me the Money 5 O'clock Hops: Vinton Fair Housing Class Downpayment Assistance Class Blueprint for Agent Success Class
|
|
Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS®
Proudly Recognizes Our 2017 Partner / Sponsors
Platinum Level Partner / Sponsor
Diamond Level Partner / Sponsor
BB&T Home Mortgage
The Roanoke Times
Virginia Mountain Mortgage
Gold Level Partner / Sponsor
Acquisition Title & Settlement Agency, Inc.
Bill Meador Insurance Agency
Blue Eagle Credit Union
Colonial Mortgage Company
Consolidated Construction Services, Inc.
Integrity Home Mortgage Corporation
Southwest Virginia Moving & Storage
Virginia Title Center, LLC
Virginia's All-American Movers
Silver Partner / Sponsor
Bug Man Exterminating, Inc.
Colonial Title & Settlement Agency, LLC
First American Home Buyers Protection
First Citizens Bank
HMS National Home Warranty
HWA (Home Warranty of America)
Seal-Tite Basement Waterproofing Co.
VIA Insurance Agency, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|